Comparative evaluation of the effect of cold ceramic and MTA-Angelus on cell viability, attachment and differentiation of dental pulp stem cells and periodontal ligament fibroblasts: an in vitro study

BACKGROUND: Biocompatibility and induction of mineralized tissue formation are the properties expected from a material used in vital pulp therapy and repair of perforations. Cold ceramic (SJM, Iran; CC) is a newly introduced calcium silicate-based cement for above mentioned therapeutic applications. This in-vitro study aimed to compare the effect of CC and White MTA-Angelus (MTA) on cell viability, attachment, odontogenic differentiation, and calcification potential of human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLFs). METHODS: Cell viability of DPSCs and PDLFs was assessed using MTT on days 1, 3, 7, and 14 (n = 9) in contact with freshly mixed and set states of CC and MTA. Field emission scanning electron micrographs (FESEM) were taken to evaluate cell-bioceramic interaction (n = 6). Gene expression levels of osteo/odontogenic markers (Dentin sialophosphoprotein, Dentin matrix protein 1, Collagen type I alpha 1, and Alkaline phosphatase (DSPP, DMP1, COL 1A1, and ALP, respectively) (n = 8) were assessed using qrt-PCR. ALP enzymatic activity was evaluated to assess the mineralization potential. A two-way ANOVA test was applied, and p < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: The effect of freshly mixed and set MTA and CC on the survival of DPSCs and PDLFs in all study groups was statistically similar and comparable to the positive control group (p > 0.05); the only exception was for the viability of PDLFs in contact with freshly mixed cements on day 1, showing a more significant cytotoxic effect compared to the control and the set state of materials (p < 0.05). PDLFs attached well on CC and MTA. The spread and pseudopodium formation of the cells increased on both samples from day 1 to day 14. Contact of MTA and CC with DPSCs similarly increased expression of all dentinogenesis markers studied on days 7 and 14 compared to the control group (p < 0.001), except for DSPP expression on day 7 (p = 0.46 and p = 0.99 for MTA and CC, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitation of this in-vitro study, cold ceramic and MTA-Angelus showed high biocompatibility and induced increased expression of osteo/dentinogenic markers. Therefore, cold ceramic can be a suitable material for vital pulp therapy and the repair of root perforations. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12903-021-01979-1.